Chrysler uses three words to describe its 2008 300 sedan: Stunning, Exhilarating, Sophisticated. But those words don’t begin to tell the story of this engineering masterpiece.

What impressed me most were the many thoughtful features that this five-passenger sedan offers that most other full-size sedans don’t. For example, in some other vehicles when I set the seat to accommodate my driving position, I find it difficult to get in and out because the seat is high and the steering wheel is low and close to my lap.

In the 300, however, when I turned the key off the seat retracts downward and backwards making my exit and re-entry the easiest of any vehicle on the market I’ve tested to date. When I insert the key into the ignition, the seat returns to my pre-set position.

The instrument panel has a real touch of class with satin silver bezels, plus soft touch surfaces on the armrest and door panels. Chrysler even relocated the cruise control stalk for more convenience. One of my rear seat passengers pointed out the both the front- and rear-door map pockets are handy.

Lots of cars feature high quality sound systems but the 300 has a Boston Acoustics eight-speaker 5.1 Surround Sound system, Sirius backseat Video and a Multimedia Infotainment System with optional navigational system.

When I tuned to Sirius radio, the name of the artist and the title of the song appeared in large letters on the navigational screen, something that isn’t always easy to read in other vehicles.

Are you getting the picture? This sedan is very well thought out, and the Chrysler engineers seemed to cover every possible base to make the 300 an enjoyable, comfortable sedan.

My tester was the 300C powered by a V8 HEMI engine that produces 340 horsepower in an instant. It doesn’t get good gas mileage — 15 city 22 highway — but if fuel economy is a top priority, smaller engines are available in the 300 lineup.

If the budget is of pressing concern, the price won’t thrill you either. The 300C tester had a base price of $37,495, and with a load of options it cost $45,370. But keep in mind, the 300C is Chrysler’s near top line 300. They also offer a 300C SRT8, plus a Limited and LX model.

All these models have similar body style, which is very distinctive. The interior made me drool, with leather seats and touches of wood blending together like a work of art.

Another feature that endeared the 300 to me was the solid way it handled my neighborhood speed bumps. At 25 mph, these speed bumps allow me to make mental comparisons with other cars. This car is every bit as good as it gets. Then I drove to my favorite wiggly roads and again, the 300 turned in a stunning performance.

When it comes to safety, the government has given the 300 a five-star rating on a frontal crash for both the driver and passenger. It also has front and rear side-curtain airbags, all-speed traction control, built-in crumple zones and the most advanced multi-stage driver and front passenger low-risk deployment airbags.

This car is one of the most awarded new cars ever based on receiving the most awards in 2005 when it was first introduced. Last year the 300 received “One of the 10 Best cars for 2007 in the full-size segment” by Car and Driver magazine and was one of the 2007 Automobile magazine All-Stars.

So to Chrysler’s three words — Stunning, Exhilarating, Sophisticated — I’d like to add one more: Marvelous.

Violent police encounters in California last year led to the deaths of 157 people and six officers, the state attorney general’s office said Thursday in a report that provides the first statewide tally on police use-of-force incidents.

At 6:03 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to reports of the robbery at the facility, 2301 Bancroft way, and learned that a man who snuck into the facility and began prowling through the building, taking cell phones and wallets from victims.

Investigators’ efforts to solve the case led to the arrests of Pablo Mendoza, 25, of Hayward, Brandon Follings, 26, of Oakland and Valeria Boden, 26, of Alameda, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday.